PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) For most teams in the NHL, the fourth line doesn't have much impact on the games.
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, however, the fourth line proves to be one of the most important.
When fully healthy, the line is made up of Zach Aston-Reese, Teddy Blueger, and Brock McGinn.
Thanks to injuries all season, Brian Boyle has factored in on the line for a majority of the season and has been a great fill-in.
The Penguins' fourth line isn't predicated on scoring or offense, but focused on defensive hockey and keeping the puck out of their own net.
For the past few seasons, Aston-Reese and Blueger in-particular have been among the leagues top defensive forwards.
The receipts are shown but the analytical numbers that the two have carried.
Despite the top tier defensive play, there does still need to be some semblance of an offense.
Blueger has been out with a broken jaw for a couple of weeks now; Aston-Reese has only one goal in the 2021-22 season and hasn't recorded a point in five games.
Could there be a change with the Penguins fourth line ahead of the Saturday afternoon game against the New York Rangers?
Kasper Bjorkqvist was recently called up from the AHL and filled in for Aston-Reese during practice on Friday.
Aston-Reese played with Blueger as an extra defensive pairing.
Bjorkqvist has played six games in the 2021-22 season and scored a goal in his NHL debut.
The Penguins currently riding a three game losing skid, could use a change somewhere.
The depth scoring has been next to non-existent for the Penguins for some time now and something needs to be done if they want to see any more success.
A change in the fourth line may be small but it could be effective in forcing a change in mentality on the ice.
An Aston-Reese healthy scratch could be a positive move for the Penguins.
